In February of 2006 I started dating a friend I had gone to high school with. I knew this man was special he was kind, driven, honest, physically fit, and took great care of his body. In March this wonderful, healthy young man was admitted to the hospital with horrible stomach pains and the symptoms that come with that. After 5 days and several tests later he was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. We had never heard of this disease. Unfortunately the hospital we were at did not have the knowledge either. I was not giving up this great man. I would stay and help him learn how to live with this disease and get his life back. So the research began articles, books, cook books. We wanted answers. He ended up going to a specialist and trying different medications, but the side effects were to much to bare. The doctor just didnt fit our needs, so we tried controlling it by diet. Things seemed to be tolerable for him for awhile, but after awhile we were at he hospital again. In 2008 after having a dermatology appointment I recognized the doctor I was seeing last name. I had driven by a gastroenterologist office every day with the same last name. I asked my doctor and he explained that was his fathers office, and the experience and passion his dad had for his patients. So I made a call to doctor Jaffer and got an appointment for my boyfriend. This was one of the most important calls we made in getting answers and help. He gave wonderful care and put us on the right path. Unfortunately even with all prescriptions the Crohn's was not improving. We had been in the er 2x which is an experience in itself. Most er doctors dont understand the horrific debilitating pain and treated my husband like a druggie looking for pain meds. until we could get Dr. Jaffer on the phone to tell them to help my husband. After the 2nd er visit Dr. Jaffer called his colleagues at Cedar Sinai and he was picked up as a patient immediately. In 2009 we got married. The year was filled with several tests and prescriptions, but things were still not good. The next option was surgery, but my husband wasn't ready, and I don't think the doctors were either. This was a 29 year old young man that would have a portion of his intestine removed and there was no guarantee the inflammation wouldn't come back, and that they wouldn't have to cut out more. His doctors tried everything they could to get the inflammation under control. Throughout the year I knew the man I loved was in serious pain, but he was a warrior. He never missed work, never complained and always tried to have a smile on his face even if you could see his face was grimacing with pain. I look back now and know we should've gone ahead with the surgery back then. By April of 2010 we went to Maui on our 1 year anniversary. The trip was wonderful, but I noticed my husband was hardly eating. He just kept saying I feel full. When we got back we went to his doctors at Cedars and it was concluded that the intestine was so inflamed that food could hardly pass through. In June my husband went into surgery and had 2 feet of his small intestine removed. Things were good for awhile and he was in remission, but after so long on the one medicine the annual colonoscopy showed some inflammation so he was put on Humira. He is now doing shots 1x a wk along with an anti inflammatory prescription. Things seem to be under control again, but I know the side affects are hard on my husband sometimes. That is why I have decided to join this blog to learn about other alternatives and to give my husband a place to communicate with others that have this disease. I try to understand what my husband is living with, but unless you have this disease I know you cannot fully comprehend what comes with it not only physically, but mentally and emotionally.
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Welcome to Crohn's Forum, a support group for people with all forms of IBD. While this community is not a substitute for doctor's advice and we cannot treat or diagnose, we find being able to communicate with others who have IBD is invaluable as we navigate our struggles and celebrate our successes. We invite you to join us.
The wife of a Crohns Patient
- Thread starter TBiddle
- Start date
So sorry you and your husband have had to deal with this but am glad you've found this forum! 
You'll find tons of info here and lots of very knowledgeable and supportive members!
I hope the humira keeps him in remission for a long, long while. What side effects is he experiencing? Has he spoken with his GI about them? Perhaps they can be lessened somehow.
Good luck!
You'll find tons of info here and lots of very knowledgeable and supportive members!I hope the humira keeps him in remission for a long, long while. What side effects is he experiencing? Has he spoken with his GI about them? Perhaps they can be lessened somehow.
Good luck!